GRAND RAPIDS DRIVE ANNOUNCE NEW NAME AND LOGO

New affiliate of the Denver Nuggets will be known as the Grand Rapids Gold

GRAND RAPIDS, MI (July 7, 2021) – The Grand Rapids Drive, presented by Metro Health – University of Michigan Health (becoming University of Michigan Health-West), announced today the team will be known as the Grand Rapids Gold beginning with the 2021-22 season. The new name and logo honor the Gold’s new affiliation with the Denver Nuggets, which was announced earlier this year.

“This new affiliation and corresponding name change is one of the biggest moves we’ve made as a franchise,” shared Steve Jbara, president of the Grand Rapids Gold. “Aligning ourselves further with the Denver Nuggets, a team that recently advanced past the first round of the NBA playoffs for the third consecutive season, further elevates the professional basketball experience here in Grand Rapids, and we couldn’t be more excited to get back on the court this fall.”

The Grand Rapids Gold name celebrates Colorado’s world class mining heritage, while the colors incorporated are those used by the Denver Nuggets since 2018. The Gold’s new primary and secondary logos include a small river within each “R” to honor one of Grand Rapids’ famous nicknames, River City.

“We are extremely excited about the new name and logo of the Grand Rapid Gold,” said Nuggets President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly. “We feel the new look aligns well with both the Nuggets and Grand Rapids organizations and are excited to see it in action on the court next season.”

The Grand Rapids Gold have been a pivotal NBA G League franchise since their founding in 2006. The team moved to Grand Rapids in 2014 after being purchased by SSJ Group, a market touted as the best in America for minor league sports by Sports Business Journal. The Gold have ranked in the top 5 in NBA G League attendance, drawing more than 3,000 fans per game. This will be the organization’s seventh season in Grand Rapids, playing at the DeltaPlex Arena.

The NBA’s official minor league, the NBA G League prepares players, coaches, officials, trainers and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory. Featuring a total of 29 teams with 28 teams having direct affiliations with NBA franchises ahead of the 2020-21 season, the league offers elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun, family friendly atmosphere. A record 45% of all NBA players at the start of the 2020-21 season boasted NBA G League experience. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA Cares programs.

The Grand Rapids Gold are a member of the NBA G League and affiliated with the Denver Nuggets. The organization is committed to providing an elite level of basketball to the West Michigan community, while also investing in and contributing to the West Michigan community. The team is owned by SSJ Group, LLC.

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GRAND RAPIDS DRIVE OPT OUT OF 2020-21 NBA G LEAGUE SEASON

The Grand Rapids Drive have announced that they will opt out of the NBA G League’s 2020-21 season. The 2020-21 season would have been the team’s final year as an affiliate of the Detroit Pistons, following the Pistons recent purchase of Phoenix’s G League franchise last year. The Drive will now turn their attention to the 2021-22 season, which is expected to include a new affiliate announcement.

“This was the right decision for our team, as we discussed both the safety and logistics surrounding a shortened, single-site season in Orlando,” shared Steve Jbara, president and co-owner of the Grand Rapids Drive. “Our focus turns now to the 2021-22 season, including an exciting new affiliate that will allow us to further elevate the professional basketball experience in West Michigan for our partners, players and fans.”

The NBA G League recently announced a single-site season in Orlando due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 17 of the 29 NBA G League teams, along with the newly formed G League Ignite team, elected to participate in the season. A complete game and broadcast schedule, beginning in February, will be announced at a later date.

“Our team remains committed to Grand Rapids,” noted Ben Wallace, co-owner of the Grand Rapids Drive. “A new affiliate announcement may mean a new team name and logo, but this is home and we’re looking forward to sharing more details about our future soon as decisions are finalized with both our new affiliate and the NBA.”

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LANDRY NNOKO OF THE DRIVE NAMED 2017-18 NBA G LEAGUE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

The Drive center Landry Nnoko has been named the 2017-18 NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year.  He earned the honor in a vote by the league’s 26 head coaches and general managers.

Nnoko (6-10, 250, Clemson) ranked second in the NBA G League in rebounds per game (11.5) and fourth in blocked per game (2.06).  He anchored the Drive defense that finished third in the league in opponents’ points per game (102.8), fourth in defensive rating (102.5) and fifth in opponents’ field goal percentage (44.5).

In his first NBA G League season, Nnoko averaged 14.7 points in 49 games and tied for second in double-doubles with 27.  Nnoko helped the Drive to a franchise-best 29-21 record and the team’s first playoff berth.  The fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, Grand Rapids lost to Raptors 905 in the first round of the postseason. 

Born in Cameroon, Nnoko played with the Detroit Pistons during the 2017 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas and the 2017 NBA preseason.  A four-year player at Clemson, Nnoko earned Atlantic Coast Conference All-Defensive Team honors as a senior in 2015-16.

Alex Caruso, a two-way player for the Los Angeles Lakers and South Bay Lakers, was the runner-up in Defensive Player of the Year voting.  South Bay’s Demarcus Holland finished third.

All-Time NBA D-League Defensive Players of the Year:

Landry Nnoko (Grand Rapids Drive, 2017-18)

Edy Tavares (Raptors 905, 2016-17)

DeAndre Liggins (Sioux Falls Skyforce, 2015-16)

Aaron Craft (Santa Cruz Warriors, 2014-15)

DeAndre Liggins (Sioux Falls Skyforce, 2013-14)

Stefhon Hannah (Santa Cruz Warriors, 2012-13)

Stefhon Hannah (Dakota Wizards, 2011-12)

Chris Johnson (Dakota Wizards, 2010-11)

Greg Stiemsma (Sioux Falls Skyforce, 2009-10)

Brent Petway (Idaho Stampede, 2008-09)

Stephane Lasme (Los Angeles D-Fenders, 2007-08)

Mouhamed Sene (Idaho Stampede, 2007-08)

Renaldo Major (Dakota Wizards, 2006-07)

Derrick Zimmerman (Austin Toros, 2005-06)

Derrick Zimmerman (Columbus Riverdragons, 2004-05)

Karim Shabazz (Charleston Lowgators, 2003-04)

Mikki Moore (Roanoke Dazzle, 2002-03)

Jeff Myers (Greenville Groove, 2001-02)

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THE DRIVE MOURNS THE PASSING OF ZEKE UPSHAW

The Drive today mourns the passing of forward Zeke Upshaw.  The 26-year-old passed away earlier today at Spectrum Heath with family by his side.

Upshaw collapsed to the court with 40 seconds remaining in the Drive’s victory over Long Island on Saturday night and was transported to the hospital.  With privacy and respect for the Upshaw family, no other medical information will be disseminated. 

“The entire Grand Rapids Drive family is mourning the tragic loss of Zeke Upshaw,” said Steve Jbara, owner of the Grand Rapids Drive.  “Zeke had a warm personality and was a tremendous representative of our organization both on and off the court. Grand Rapids was fortunate to be the benefactor of two seasons of Zeke’s commitment to the youth and non-profits within our community. Our thoughts are with all of Zeke’s family and friends during this difficult time.”

Upshaw was a two-year player for the Drive, drafted in the fourth round of the G League’s Developmental Draft in 2016.  Undrafted by the NBA, he previously played overseas before joining the Drive.  Upshaw appeared in 41 games with the Drive this season, averaging 8.5 points and 2.3 rebounds in 19.8 minutes per game.  The Chicago native played collegiately at Illinois State and three seasons at Hofstra where he averaged 19.8 points and 4.8 rebounds during his senior season (2013-14).

“Our thoughts and prayers extend to the entire Upshaw family during this terribly difficult time,” said Jeff Bower, General Manager for the Detroit Pistons, who oversee basketball operations for the Grand Rapids Drive as part of the club’s single-affiliation “hybrid” partnership.  “Our organization is focused on providing necessary support for the Upshaw family as well as players and staff of the Grand Rapids Drive.”

NBA G LEAGUE PRESIDENT MALCOLM TURNER STATEMENT REGARDING THE PASSING OF ZEKE UPSHAW

 NBA G League President Malcolm Turner released the following statement regarding the passing of Grand Rapids Drive guard/forward Zeke Upshaw:

“The NBA G League family is devastated by the tragic passing of Zeke Upshaw.  Zeke was an outstanding young man whose powerful belief in himself and uncommon perseverance led to a successful professional basketball career.  A beloved member of the Grand Rapids Drive, Zeke’s continuous improvement and tireless work ethic were hallmarks of his career.  We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends and the Drive organization.” 

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THE DRIVE BEAT NETS TO EARN FIRST EVER PLAYOFF BERTH 

Grand Rapids Drive forward Zeke Upshaw was transported to Spectrum Hospital after collapsing on the court in the closing seconds of last night’s game. Upshaw is currently under physicians care. Further updates will be provided when available.

UPDATE: 

The following is a statement from Jewel Upshaw, mother of Zeke Upshaw: 

“After continued efforts from the medical team at Spectrum Health, Zeke made his transition at 11:16 a.m.  To family, friends, teammates, coaches, fans, and confidants, thank you for all your prayers and support during this most difficult time.  We ask that you respect our privacy at this time.  Details of his memorial will be announced at a later date.  We’d like to thank the many doctors and nurses at Spectrum Health for their efforts in caring for our son.  We’d also like to thank the Grand Rapids Drive for the support they have extended to our family.”

The Grand Rapids Drive (29-21) earned their first playoff berth in the franchise’s four years in Grand Rapids on Saturday night at home against the Long Island Nets (27-23), winning 101-99. The loss ends the Nets’ season, as they had two chances to hit the game-winning three within the final five seconds but were unable to connect.

The Drive could potentially have still clinched a playoff berth with a loss going into Saturday’s game, but the Erie BayHawks and Lakeland Magic both won their games before the conclusion of the game at the DeltaPlex, meaning the Drive and Nets both had their playoff hopes entirely resting on this game.

An impressive eight players scored in double figures for the Drive, using a team effort to win the big game. Speedy Smith in particular stepped up for the Drive, scoring a season-high 20 points while also recording seven rebounds and 13 assists. Jon Horford had 11 points and 15 rebounds in just 18 minutes as starting center Landry Nnoko struggled with foul trouble, but Nnoko still had 13 points and nine rebounds.

KJ McDaniels also had 13 points for the Drive, and Reggie Hearn, Jamel Morris and Derek Willis each scored 10. Zeke Upshaw had 11 points off the bench for Grand Rapids before leaving the game with an injury with the Drive up 100-97. Grand Rapids was able to hang on afterwards, as an Isaiah Whitehead layup cut the lead to one and Smith went 1-for-2 as Long Island fouled, leaving the Nets with the final possession where they missed two three-pointers, one by Whitehead and one by Milton Doyle.

The Brooklyn assignee Whitehead had a huge night for Long Island, scoring 39 points, the most the Drive have allowed to an opposing player the entire season. James Webb added 20 points for the Nets, Doyle scored 14 points and Shannon Scott stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists. But aside from those four, no other Long Island player had more than five points.

Grand Rapids continued its recent dominance of the glass, which was a big factor in the win. They had 56 rebounds, including 21 on the offensive end, while the Nets managed just 37.

The first of three single-elimination playoff rounds will start on Tuesday. The Drive will soon find out their opponent for the first round

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